Steward, Flagship Niagara

Are you passionate about cooking for others? Do you enjoy the challenge of feeding large groups? Are you seeking a unique opportunity to gain experience cooking on a wood fired stove aboard a traditional tall ship? If so, we have the position for you!

The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission is looking for an enthusiastic, energetic, and hard-working Cook to join the crew of the U.S. Brig Niagara, Pennsylvania's Flagship. In this position, you will be responsible for the preparation of wholesome and nutritious meals for the ship's crew and trainees. This seasonal position is expected to begin in late-March 2026 and end in mid-October 2026.

If you are looking to be part of keeping the tradition of square rig seamanship alive for current and future generations, apply today to serve aboard the U.S. Brig Niagara!

Sailing from her homeport at the Erie Maritime Museum in Erie, PA, the U.S. Brig Niagara is a fully functional, traditionally rigged brig engaged in sail training and historical interpretation. Through the up rig, maintenance, operation, and down rig of the ship, the Niagara program preserves, interprets and passes on the traditions of what life was like for sailors living, working, and fighting aboard a square-rigged sailing ship in the early 19th century.

As Cook, you will serve as the galley department lead, ensuring that the crew is well-fed with wholesome and nutritious foods to support the physically demanding work of operating a square-rigged sailing ship. Our team will rely on you to be responsible for following food storage and handling regulations and for maintaining the operational readiness and cleanliness of the on board and shore galleys. You will also have oversight of the general condition of the domestic areas aboard and ashore.

Your duties as a cook will involve planning menus, managing food and equipment inventories, and assisting with purchasing while keeping within allocated budgets. You will also be responsible for maintaining the wood fired cook stove aboard the vessel and other food preparation tools.

This position includes overseeing the ship's crew and trainees assigned to galley duty. Additionally, you will be responsible for ensuring that the ship, galleys, domestic areas, and berthing area are clean, tidy, and presentable to museum guests and the general public.

The 2026 Niagara sailing season (late-March through mid-October) will include a 2,000 nautical mile journey from Maine to Erie, PA via the North Atlantic Ocean and the St. Lawrence Seaway as well as Sailing School Vessel programs in Lake Erie. Niagara's Cook is expected to travel with the crew and sail with the ship.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• This limited-term, seasonal position is expected to start in late-March 2026 and end mid-October 2026.
• Work hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Wednesday - Sunday, with a 60-minute lunch. This position's schedule will vary per the needs of the ship and programming.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• Note: This position includes room and board. A daily charge of $9.00 (totaling $126.00) will be automatically deducted from each bi-weekly paycheck for the duration of employment.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Six months experience as a Steward/Cook aboard a sailing vessel.

Additional Requirements:

• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Preferred Qualifications (not required):

• A minimum of six months experience working as a cook/steward aboard a traditional sailing ship
• A minimum of six months experience cooking on a wood burning stove
• Possession of a "ServeSafe" or equivalent safe food handling certification

Legal Requirements:

• This position is subject to initial, ongoing random, and reasonable cause drug screenings. Employment in this position is conditioned on successfully passing an initial drug screening upon appointment to the position. Ongoing employment will require compliance with ongoing random and reasonable cause drug screenings in alignment with US Coast Guard Regulation: CFR Title 46, Chapter 1, Subchapter B, Part 16. and Commonwealth procedures.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.